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Type: Album Release date: 06/03/2005
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2004's Carbon Glacier, the debut album from Seattle singer/songwriter Laura Veirs, drew critical praise from 'adult' music titles and broadsheet press alike.

The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae collects together songs originally written in 2001. The sparse production is apt given Veirs grew up in the shadow of the Colorado Rocky Mountains or, as 'Orphan Mae' puts it, "Somewhere in the desert, near a mountain is the place of my birth".

Banjo, acoustic, and steel guitar dominate but this isn‘t a country and western album. Triumphs... flits between blues and folk. Dance beats underpin 'John Henry Lives', and there's a trip-hop vibe on 'Montague Road' which lends it a ghostly atmosphere. This feeling permeates throughout; 'Black Eyed Susan' could very well be a ghost story and 'Through December' sounds as chilling as the oncoming winter it namechecks.

Yet, there is real warmth to Triumphs.... Veirs' vocals sound crystal clear but have real depth and her storytelling style paints vivid pictures of myths and fables from the American west. It's a storybook in song form and a thoroughly absorbing one at that.

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

This sounds pretty darn good... might give it a turn!

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

I thought there was album before Carbon Glacier, or possibly two.
As DiS says, 'Her first album was called "Troubled By The Fire" and was full of lots of nice warm folksy vignettes'.

More importantly, is this album any better than Carbon Glacier? Although I thought she was quite good live, I found that record quite patchy.

And if this is more bluesy I probably wouldnt like it...

Re: Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

Wait, you mean UK debut. And this is one of the preceding albums.

Ignore me, I'm talking rubbish.

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

i probably prefer carbon glacier, i like it's coldness.

she was ace live though.

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan

'Carbon Glacier' is a good album, but it's not as stunning as was made out. 'Snow Camping' is almost worth the asking price alone though.

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

Laura Veirs had a self titled, self released debut, then came this, then Troubled By The Fire then Carbon Glacier.
Carbon Glacier was as stunning as made out in my opinion, and she is absolutely fantastic live.

Laura Veirs - The Triumphs And Travails Of Orphan Mae

agreed, carbon glacier was everything it was portrayed as. her recent show at purcell rooms with the band was extraordinary, especially when she got the lighting man to cut all the lights in the room so it was pitch black and they played note perfect snow camping i think it was. genius. troubled by the fire is beautiful and orphan mae is fascinating to see where carbon glacier came from...thankfully it is not just the same album which sadly is what most people want...the same album with different songs. i think she is the most talented american female artists currently

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